Reduction Pinion Gear Bearing Preload

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Nissan Maxima. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove transmission case and final drive assembly from converter housing.
Select proper thickness of reduction pinion gear bearing adjusting shim using the following procedures.
1. Place reduction pinion gear on transmission case as shown in Fig 1.
  
  Fig 1: Place Reduction Pinion Gear On Transmission Case
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
2. Place idler gear bearing on transmission case.
3. Measure dimensions "B" "C" and "D" and calculate dimension "A".
  A = D - (B + C)
  
  "A" : Distance between the surface of idler gear bearing inner race and the adjusting shim mating surface of reduction pinion gear.
  
  Fig 2: Measure Dimensions "B" "C" And "D" And Calculate Dimension "A"
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  - Measure dimension "B" between the end of reduction pinion gear and the surface of transmission case.
  - Measure dimension "B" in at least two places.
    
    Fig 3: Measuring Dimension "B"
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  - Measure dimension "C" between the surface of idler gear bearing inner race and the surface of transmission case.
  - Measure dimension "C" in at least two places.
    
    Fig 4: Measuring Dimension "C"
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
  - Measure dimension "D" between the end of reduction pinion gear and the adjusting shim mating surface of reduction pinion gear.
  - Measure dimension "D" in at least two places.
  - Calculate dimension "A".
    A = D - (B + C)
    
    Fig 5: Measuring Dimension "D"
    Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
4. Measure dimension "E" between the end of idler gear and the idler gear bearing inner race mating surface of idler gear.
  - Measure dimension "E" in at least two places.
5. Select proper thickness of reduction pinion gear bearing adjusting shim.
  Proper shim thickness = A - E - 0.05 mm (0.0020 in)^*
  
  (^* : Bearing preload)
  
  Reduction pinion gear bearing adjusting shim : Refer to "REDUCTION PINION GEAR BEARING ADJUSTING SHIMS ".
  
  Fig 6: Measuring Dimension "E"
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Install reduction gear and reduction gear bearing adjusting shim selected in step 2-e on transmission case.
Press idler gear bearing inner race on idler gear.
Press idler gear on reduction gear.
- Press idler gear until idler gear fully contacts adjusting shim.
  
  Fig 7: Install Reduction Gear And Reduction Gear Bearing Adjusting Shim Selected
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Tighten idler gear lock nut to the specified torque. Refer to "OVERHAUL ".
- Lock idler gear with parking pawl when tightening lock nut.
  
  Fig 8: Tighten Idler Gear Lock Nut To The Specified Torque
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Measure turning torque of reduction pinion gear.
- When measuring turning torque, turn reduction pinion gear in both directions several times to seat bearing rollers correctly.
  Turning torque of reduction pinion gear: 0.05 - 0.39 N-m (0.5 - 4.0 kg-cm, 0.43 - 3.47 in-lb)
- If turning torque is out of specification, decrease or increase thickness of reduction pinion gear bearing adjusting shim.
  
  Fig 9: Measuring Turning Torque Of Reduction Pinion Gear
  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
After properly adjusting turning torque, stake idler gear lock nut as shown.

Fig 10: Stake Idler Gear Lock Nut As Shown
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.